Inexpensive conductance measurement device for low-temperature thermometry

Abstract

The authors have built an inexpensive AC synchronous detector for measuring conductances between 5 mu S and 1 S. This allows the measurement and control of low temperatures using carbon glass, Ge or similar resistors with precision to within the standard temperature calibration resolution (+or-0.1%). Simple modifications that improve stability and response time are presented, which enable the instrument to be used to measure changes in the conductivity of metallic films during deposition and of polymers under ion bombardment.